Real Stories
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By FCJessica — Apr 29, 2016

Veda's Story At a very young age, about six months old, I was removed from my parents care and placed in the foster care system. It took months for my caseworker to get in contact with my maternal grandmother. By the age of two, my grandmother was... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Real Stories
Blog

By FCJessica — Apr 29, 2016

Isaiah's Story I am the oldest of five and grew up with a single mother. Because of this, I took on many responsibilities to help my mother support my siblings. Some would have said I played a parent role by ensuring my siblings did their chores and... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Real Stories
Blog

By FCJessica — Apr 29, 2016

Mark's Story They say your childhood is supposed to be the most joyful time of your life. My childhood was dark, full of pain, and traumatizing. Growing up, my mother suffered from a mental illness. My stepfather was physically and emotionally... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Real Stories
Blog

By FCJessica — Apr 29, 2016

Tristan's Story Advocating for myself was the most difficult part of being in the foster care system, but it’s also a vital skill to learn. Before entering the system, I had suffered plenty of abuse for being a trans man who dared... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Real Stories
Blog

By jacoblear — Apr 14, 2015

It’s no secret that growing up in foster care can be challenging. In my case, those challenges were intensified by the fact that I’m a bi-racial lesbian. Finding a place where I felt I belonged was difficult. I often imagined... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Real Stories
Blog

By jacoblear — Apr 6, 2015

Kristopher's Story Kristopher entered the Texas foster care system at the age of 10. He was removed from his family of origin after his 5th grade teacher noticed significant bruising on his torso and face. Separated from his two siblings, ... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Real Stories
Blog

By jacoblear — Apr 6, 2015

Trying to fit in Hello, my name is Ernesto. I’m 24 years of age, and I am a gay man who was in foster care for six years. In 2003, my little brother and I were put into the foster care system and placed in a shelter - I was 13 years old. I was... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Real Stories
Blog

By jacoblear — Apr 6, 2015

Emmie's Story I was born in Louisiana, but my family moved to Casper, Wyoming just a few years later. This became my home for the better part of 18 years. Unfortunately, in my teen years, my family life became chaotic. All things considered, I... Read more

Tagged:
LGBTQ youth
Real Stories
Blog

By FC Steve — Mar 11, 2009

I will never forget my twelfth birthday – on that day, my social worker appeared at my foster home with two trash bags and announced that I was moving. She handed me the bags and said, “You need to pack your things.” My things. I was hurt because... Read more

Tagged:
Entering foster care
Real Stories
Blog

By FC Steve — Mar 11, 2009

I pulled my blanket to my chin, warm already in my blue footed pajamas. My eyelids slowly began to find their other halves when again that thought shot through the warmth and sent cold tremors up the back of my neck and onto the top of my blonde... Read more

Tagged:
Entering foster care
Family relationships